Integrated Rotation Regulating Portion and Sliding Surface in Vehicle Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional switch devices for vehicles lack design flexibility due to the separate configuration of rotation stoppers and sliding surfaces, which limits their functionality in compact spaces.

Innovation Solution

A switch device with a rotation mechanism that integrates a rotation regulating portion and rotation sliding surfaces, forming a contact surface orthogonal to the rotation sliding surface, allowing for improved design flexibility in limited spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the rotation stopper and sliding surface are configured separately as in conventional switch devices, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the design flexibility is insufficient in limited spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotation stopper and sliding surface into a single integrated component. The rotation stopper includes both the rotation regulating portion (that limits rotational movement) and the sliding surface (that guides axial movement), eliminating the need for separate components. This integration directly resolves the technical contradiction by improving design flexibility in limited spaces while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If the rotation stopper and sliding surface are configured separately, then manufacturing is easier, but the arrangement of components in compact spaces is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the rotation stopper and sliding surface into one integrated component, the patent optimizes space utilization in compact arrangements. The rotation stopper with integrated sliding surface can be positioned more efficiently within limited space, allowing better arrangement of other components like the knob member and movable contact members, while still maintaining ease of manufacture through a unified molding or fabrication process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the axial direction (another dimension) by forming the sliding surface on the rotation stopper that extends in the axial direction. This allows the sliding surface to function independently in the axial dimension while the rotation regulating portion functions in the rotational dimension, enabling efficient three-dimensional space utilization without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the rotation regulating portion and sliding surface are integrated, then design flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the rotation regulating portion and sliding surface into a single rotation stopper component achieves design flexibility while avoiding manufacturing complexity through unified fabrication. The rotation stopper can be molded or machined as a single piece where the sliding surface is formed as an integral feature, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for the sliding surface component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3061652B1Switch device
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
  • EP3061652B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3061652B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3061652B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B

AI summary

A switch device includes a knob member rotatably fitted to and supported by a middle serving as a fixing portion, and a rotor member integrally mounted to the knob member and rotatably supported by the middle. A rotation regulating portion that regulates a rotatable range of the knob member with respect to the middle and rotation sliding surfaces in a rotational axis direction of the middle and the knob member are collectively formed.